Sarah Burke is a full time mediator, discovery referee and special master practicing in most Northern and Central California counties. She regularly resolves cases involving construction defects, delay and non payment and brings firm and fair leadership as a Special Master and Discovery Referee. She has also mediated personal injury and wrongful death cases, insurance coverage disagreements, employment, copyright, contract, real estate/disclosure, professional liability and myriad other disputes. Sarah is a member of the approved ADR Panels of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma Counties. Sarah is past chair of the Alameda County Bar Association ADR Executive Committee and a current member of the Board of Directors of the Mediation Society.

MediationTraining:

I have completed 40 hours of advanced mediation training with Steve Rosenberg, and have participated in many hours of mediation focused continuing education, both as a trainer/instructor and as a participant.

ArbitrationExperience:

NeutralEvaluationBackground:

As a special master and discovery referee, I routinely provide neutral evaluation regarding both legal and factual issues in dispute in areas of insurance coverage, construction defect and personal injury.

SettlementConferenceExperience:

Subject

Personal Injury:

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Employment:

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Business:

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Real Estate:

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Matter:

Legal Malpractice:

Public Agency:

Probate:

Construction:

x

Medical Malpractice:

Environmental:

Insurance:

x

Securities:

Product Liability:

x

Landlord-Tenant / Neighborhood:

Dental Malpractice:

Foreign Language(s):

Intellectual Property/High Technology:

Accoutings:

Conservatorships/Guardianships:

Wills/Trusts:

Other:

OtherEducation:

After graduating magna cum laude from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine in 1989, I received my JD from University of San Diego School of Law and became a member of the California State Bar in 1992.

MediationApproach:

I firmly believe that the approach depends upon the parties, counsel and the subject matter. Mediation is not a “one size fits all” exercise. That said, I tend more toward the directive style. In mediation, I strive to use our time efficiently and help the parties and counsel approach the process with a spirit of good humor.

ArbitrationApproach:

NeutralApproach:

I have a directive/evaluative style in neutral evaluation. I request briefing regarding the legal or factual issues in dispute and then hold a hearing. Throughout the process, I will continue look for opportunities to settle the matter.

Before becoming a mediator and special master, Sarah spent her career representing developers, materials suppliers, contractors, subcontractors and homeowners in all types of construction litigation. Sarah also has an extensive background in insurance coverage issues, with experience in both first-party and third-party coverage analysis and litigation, including claims against and between insurance carriers, bad faith claims and claims involving OCIP/wrap policies. Sarah has litigated personal injury, employment and wrongful death cases and has tried construction and personal injury cases to juries in Northern and Southern California. Sarah has also handled patent and copyright cases in state and federal courts.